Illegal termination settlements web much more than $1M for previous Boston police officers

Brett Rowland | The Center Sq.

August 11, 11:36 AM August 11, 11:36 AM

(The Heart Square) – The two optimum paid Boston police officers in 2021 gained legal settlements of more than $1 million every, a long time following they were unlawfully terminated next a controversial drug testing method.

Previous officers Richard Beckers and Jacqueline M. McGowan were being paid out $1.26 million and $1.25 million, respectively. The Heart Square a short while ago analyzed pay for city personnel in Boston in 2021.

A very long-functioning lawsuit more than the termination of 10 Boston police officers involving 2001 and 2007 finished with settlements for Beckers and McGowan. The 10 officers were being fired right after hair screening arrived again beneficial for cocaine use. The termination of 4 of these 10 officers was later on upheld.

The other 6 fought for again shell out and some sought reinstatement following a commission concluded the hair screening failed to meet up with the prerequisite for just cause termination, according to courtroom records.

Of these six officers, 4 gained again fork out compensation payouts in 2017 and 2018, according to court information.

A spokesman said the Boston Police Department now makes use of urine assessment for drug tests instead of hair testing, which was disputed in the lawsuit.